Soulmates still in touch during lockdown with support from The National Lottery

A non-profit friendship and dating organisation in Cambridgeshire for adults with additional needs has received more than £23,000 of National Lottery funding to support its response to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure isolation and loneliness during lockdown is minimised.

Safe Soulmate, based in Cambridge but working across the county, would normally be hosting face-to-face social events, dates and gatherings. The group aims to help its members find happiness in a safe environment, build-up their confidence and self-esteem and reduce loneliness, isolation and potential abuse when searching for new friendships or partners.

However, with COVID-19 restrictions in place, staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to ensure online support and social opportunities are still an option for its members, or “Soulmates” as they’re known in the organisation.

For people with additional needs, many of whom live alone, the last few weeks and months have been especially hard, with little or no social contact and heightened anxieties about the outside world.

The funding, raised by National Lottery players and awarded by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, will allow for staff of the charity to continue delivering its programme of support including mate and date matches, meeting prospective members and providing information and guidance.

Since lockdown began, there have been dozens of Zoom-based socials for the 83 soulmates, including quiz nights, movie nights, art sessions and a Tuesday girls’ night. The organisation is even about to start running a volunteer-led online “fitness bootcamp”, focusing on keeping people fit and active while at home. Lizzie also has plans to run some online journaling and jewellery making sessions in the future.

For those who do not have access to online chat apps, Safe Soulmate is also running a phone buddy system service and conference calls, and there is already a pen-pal scheme set up for those who prefer not to communicate face-to-face.

The news of this funding was announced during Loneliness Awareness Week (15 – 19 June), an annual event to raise awareness of loneliness, break the stigma attached to it and encourage people to speak about the issue openly.

With support from The National Lottery Community Fund, charities, community projects, and grassroots groups are leading the way - keeping people connected and supporting those at risk of becoming lonely.

Lizzie is a Soulmate, as well as a member of the organisation’s steering group. Along with its founders Vicky Baddeley and Christine O’Neil, she was pivotal in the setting up of the organisation. She said about her experiences with the group: “I really enjoy being part of Safe Soulmate and being part of something that allows you to be yourself and develops you as a person. Safe Soulmate has helped me with my self-confidence, to try new things and make new friendships. It’s been even more beneficial during lockdown to make and talk to friends via Zoom socials in the comfort of your own home.”

Alongside its social events, Safe Soulmate is also continuing to run online workshops with local sexual health advice charity, DHIverse to help people keep themselves safe online. With its members now more than ever at risk of online financial and sexual abuse, Safe Soulmate continues to be there to not only help people feel less lonely but also to keep them safe.

Safe Soulmate puts people with additional needs at the heart of everything it does, and its steering group is made up of its members. This includes Ollie – who will soon be undertaking a 56 mile bike ride, accompanied by a volunteer, to raise money for the charity. Other inspirational Soulmates who help to keep the charity ticking over are Jenny, who through Safe Soulmate met her boyfriend in November and has been chatting to him nearly every day throughout lockdown, and Bill, who chairs the steering group and is also a VoiceAbility Speak Out Leader.

Safe Soulmate was founded by Cambridgeshire locals, Vicky Baddeley and Christine O’Neil, who, alongside running the organisation, also both work in the learning disabilities sector. Vicky says: “We are immensely grateful to The National Lottery for its continued support, particularly through this very difficult time. Without the funding, we would not be able to continue and so many more people would lose hope of ever finding those vital connections we all need. It is a privilege to bring together so many amazing and talented people to help them find friendship and love in a safe way!”

Helen Bushell, Head of Funding for South East at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, we are able to fund thousands of projects working in many different ways to help reduce loneliness and isolation in the UK. As we all adapt to profound changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, tackling stigma around loneliness and making it okay to ask for help are more important than ever.

“Loneliness is affecting people from all walks of life while we are physically apart in these difficult times. The incredible groups we fund are a powerful force for good – supporting people to connect, reducing feelings of isolation and helping communities come together in new and inspiring ways.”

Thanks to National Lottery players, almost £6 million of National Lottery funding has gone to more than 400 projects tackling loneliness and social isolation across England since the lockdown began, enabling them to provide people with much-needed support.

Going forward, The National Lottery Community Fund will continue to prioritise getting funding to groups best placed to support their communities at this vital time and also towards those seeking to rebuild as the crisis abates.

To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk